Introducing a New Cat to a Multi Cat Household

Tips for New Cat Success and Serenity

In towns and farms across the world, you can find an array of cats and a variety of social systems that help them get along. They range from social extended family groups centered around females to solitary individuals of both sexes. Because cats have this flexible social system many can live happily in a multi- cat household, particularly if they have had early experience in a social group as kittens.

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Setting New Cat Expectations

No two cats are going to be the same, and not all combinations will work for keeping peace in your household. Treat each cat as an individual, each cat will have a unique skill set based on past social experience and biology.  Mixing cats must be done slowly and patiently. The motto here is, “Bad impressions matter”.  A cat's first impressions or negative experience can be hard to overcome and can even lead to health issues and litter box use problems if cats are stressed. 

a large cat walking up to a smaller cat

Even when the introduction is done correctly, it's possible that the new cat is just to much for the resident cats to adjust too or visa versa. Although we all want to see our cats having friends, good animal care sits on a foundation of listening to your cat’s needs, and for some cats all they need is their human family to be happy.

Gradual introduction involves progressive exposure through the low levels of sound, scent, sight, and touch. Take the steps to keep your cats happy by moving slowly and keeping your cats relaxed and happy at each step. Each cat is an individual, ultimately you will go to the pace where all cats are happy before moving forward with the next step in the introduction plan.  

cat looking through cubby fabric

Preparing for a New Cat

  • Choose a safe room that is not a place your resident cat uses frequently. This will be the safe room and the new mini territory for your new cat to live during the introduction stages. Consider a bathroom, study, bedroom, or any other safe location where you can put a solid door between the cats.
  • Prepare with cat provisions: Food, water, crate or hiding places, litter pan, toys, ledges, and cat scratch posts can help make this space welcoming to the new cat. During this phase, use new items that will not smell like your resident cat. 
scratching pole, cat food, feliway and litter box

Bringing your New Cat Home

It'll take take for your new cat to adjust to the new living situation.

Good Signs

To know if they're happy, look for your signs your new cat is relaxing such as rubbing your legs, greeting you with greeting communication, playing, purring. Perhaps they are settling into a relaxed resting position with legs sprawled out or, marking their faces on corners and other areas of the room.

cat scratching towards camera

Negative Signs to Look Out For

Signs the new cat's stress is high will include the following: Pawing the door, pacing, meowing for extended amounts of time, increased aggression (like swiping when you leave the room), or pushing the door or handle. All this can mean the new cat is finding confinement stressful and so will not be able to relax in a confined area. You can try enlarging the area or adjusting accordingly.

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Introducing a New Cat to Other Cats: Your Step- by- Step Guide

cat sleeping on plush pad

Introduction of Smell:

Let each cat rub your gloved hands and take this scent to your other cat's side of the home to help desensitize to the smell of the other cat. This communal scent- sharing is scent-sharing is preparing the cats for sharing space and seeing each other in a cooperative light. Rub the gloved, and pheromone- carrying; hand on corners and furniture for the other cat to find. 

Swap bedding but, don’t make this new bedding the only option for your cat. We want the cats to learn these smells are part of your social group and to choose to rest on them without stress. How your cats are responding to the smells will show how unpleasant they are feeling about the other cat. Hissing or actively avoiding this bedding is less desirable at this stage than sniffing and sleeping on the blankets. 

cat looking up on cat hammock

Exploring of the Other Cat's Area:

Exploring new areas is essential for both cats during their introduction process, as it allows them to familiarize themselves with shared spaces without direct confrontation. This exploration not only builds confidence but also helps reduce territorial behavior by allowing each cat to claim a space on their own terms.

Let the cats swap access to the communal living spaces without seeing each other. Do this by possibly confining your resident cat in their favorite room with all provisions in that room for a single night. Help get them prepared by feeding them regularly in that location or have a second person play or sit with the cat. While the resident cat is out, let the new cat explore this new communal space.

If there are no signs of stress, try letting your resident cat explore the new cat's room as well. Ensure your new cat is confined in a safe location during this or have someone else play with the cat for this step.

cat fitting face through bars

Visual Contact

If all has gone smoothly, then we can step into the next stage of visual contact. This should only be done if you are seeing no overt stress, and cats seem relaxed.  Add a protective physical barrier like a baby gate or harness each cat.

Put up double- stacked baby gates at doors in a way that allows the solid door to shut. If needed, use harnesses to keep the cats safe at this stage. During this phase, feed both cats amazing treats while they can see each other from far away. Slowly move closer if all is well. 

Play with each cat and keep sessions short and fun. The message to the cats should be, "Good things happen when we are together."

If the cats are not relaxed, playing, or eating, go back a step where they are comfortable. Also look out for stiff or still body language as an indication to slow the process.


Kittens hanging out together on scratching pole

Bringing Down the Walls

Bringing the cats together is an exciting and crucial step in their introduction process, as it allows them to begin building their relationship. However, patience and observation are key to ensuring this interaction is positive and stress-free. Ensuring that each cat is comfortable before facilitating their first meetings will help foster a peaceful connection.

When cats greet each other with question- mark high tails, or run happily to the training location to train with another cat, you can start slowly opening the barrier. It can be helpful to have already trained each cat to love a harness  (see how to train a harness article)  so at this stage they can do leashes if it ends up being helpful. 

Never force the cats together and reward all friendly behavior with treats. The main aim is that the cats are comfortable with the presence of one another; that said, they do not need to be physically interacting. If the cats show any signs of negativity towards one another or any signs of distress, replace the barrier to separate the cats and go back a stage. 

If cats appear to be relaxed in the company of one another, then physical supervised access should be as frequent as possible.


cats playing together

Building a Relationship

Building a relationship between two cats during the introduction process is essential for fostering a harmonious living environment. As they become more comfortable with each other and show signs of relaxation, engaging them in activities together can strengthen their bond. These interactions need to be positive and stress-free to ensure both cats feel safe and secure.

Once they show they can navigate with each other socially and are relaxed together, begin cat training sessions together where they get treats, play, and get pet (if they like that). The cats don't need to be close for this –, try not to lure them closer with food. For a cat, sharing space is social; Communication is happening all the time so there is no need to get close and risk a conflict. 

If friendly behaviors are seen  between the new cat and the resident, they can be kept together for increasingly longer periods. Always make sure they have access back to their own parts of the house.

At this stage, it is particularly important that each cat has its own resources in separate locations from each other (not in the same room). The resources should also be seperate from the  other cat(s) in the household, as this will help prevent the cats from feeling in competition with one another.  

The House Set Up

Setting up your home thoughtfully is crucial when introducing two cats, as a well-structured environment can significantly impact their comfort and interaction. By providing various spaces and options for retreat, you can help prevent conflicts and ensure both cats feel secure in their territory.

Cat jumping through a cat shelf with an escape hatch and beautifully decorated cat shelves in the background

With time and; if things are going well, the separate room can be kept permanently open and the new cat and resident cat(s) are free to come and go as they please. In cases where conflicts arise, you can create a separate room or restricted area (such as one accessed through microchip-operated cat flaps) for individual cats that get along. This setup allows cats to explore the entire home while having safe spaces to retreat to when the other cats are present.

Additional opportunities for utilizing vertical space such as shelves, walkways and perches can help cats to maintain their own space. The key point is to continue to monitor, as relationships between cats can change over time and between different contexts, and adapt according to the cats.

The environment can help foster cooperation and prevent competition. Keep space open and allow cats more than one way to get out of a room or up-stairs. Use cat shelves and tunnels to make circular walking paths so a cat can not be cornered in the house easily. 

cats with numerous litter boxes and bowls

Final Tops for Keeping Peace in a Multi-Cat Household

  • Remember to keep multiple food, water bowls,  and litter boxes available to prevent competition at home.
  • Increase your cat enrichment plan to promote healthy behavior.

If you are struggling to successfully complete this introduction process or the cats experience a breakdown in an initially good introduction, it is a good idea to seek professional help. Contact your vet who will be able to provide you with advice or refer you to a qualified feline behaviorist.

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